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Adriane Blewitt once again took home the shot put title |
The Abilene Christian men and St. Augustine's women won the team titles at the 2003 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The first day of action belonged to Ashland's All-American Adriane Blewitt in the shot put. The senior went out on top again with her winning mark of 57-07.75. Another senior, Kortney Ihnen, from Minnesota-Mankato performed well with her heave of 52-02.50 to take second.
Blewitt's mark of 58-09.50 earlier this season ranks her as the second collegian behind Laura Gerraughty of North Carolina. "Training was going real well heading into today and I looked forward to throwing big again," said Blewitt after her victory. "I felt strong and fast today as well and it was just a good day to throw well."
In the women's weight throw, Blewitt wasn't done with her national championship title runs as she won the even with her personal best throw of 66-10. "I had a real good day and with my personal best mark I couldn't ask for anything more," Blewitt said. Her teammate, Jackie Jeschelnig, came in second with her throw of 65-06.25 which propelled Ashland to 18 points in the event alone.
Now with her final indoor shot put performance at the collegiate ranks is under her belt, Blewitt looks forward to the outdoor season and beyond. "I'll be attending the Olympic Summit next weekend in San Diego and then I'll be opening up in Gainesville at the Florida Relays," said Blewitt.
In other finals action from Friday, Cadriesha Akinfe of St. Augustine's College claimed the long jump with her leap of 19-08.25. Kevin Bartlett of Lincoln successfully defended his title in the long jump as he leaped out to a 25-03.50 mark.
The Western State men took home the top six spots in the 5k |
Moorhead State was led by Chris Nulle who took home the weight throw title as he threw 63-06.75. Ivan Varbanov of Central Missouri won the high jump with his clearance of 7-00.25.
Saturday's action saw Maresa Cadienhead of St. Augustine's score a big 10 points with her victory in the high jump. The multiple All-American cleared 6-feet even for the victory.
"I'm out there competing against other people, but the reality is I'm competing against myself," Cadienhead said after her winning jump. "I was hoping to break the indoor record again today, but that didn't work out. I simply had a goal I wanted to meet, but unfortunately that didn't happen."
Cadienhead's teammate, Libia Rodriquez, also scored big with her 10 points in the title of the 400 meters. Her time of 53.83 was enough to edge the rest of the field in her heat after a stumble heading into the second turn in which an athlete fell.
NW Missouri was led by Jenny Simmons as she cleared 11-11.75 for the women's pole vault title. Six other athletes also cleared the same height as the edge went to Simmons since she had fewer misses.
"I don't think it has even hit me yet that I came out on top," the surprised Simmons said after her victory. "We open the outdoor season next week at the Alabama Relays, so I'm looking forward to opening my season up on a bigger pole and hopefully I will be able to clear 12 feet on a consistent basis."
The short sprint title was once again dominated by Jason Smoots of NC Central with his time of 6.55. It was a tight finish as Nic Alexander of Abilene Christian came in a close second with his time of 6.57.
Domination is one word thrown around way too often in the Western State distance program. In the men's 5000 meters, the top six places were from the athletes of Western State. Scott Nagelkerke edged Josh Eberly for the title with their times of 14:06.22 and 14:06.25.
Cal State Bakersfield took home the top two spots in the men's shot put as Tony Thompson threw 60-01.75 for the victory. Chris Figures was second with his mark of 57-03.75.
The St. Augustine's women wrapped up the meet and team title with their victory in the 4x400 meter relay while clocking 3:40.37 which was five seconds faster than the next team.